Don’t worry – it’s not ‘all in your head’. A new study of 2,000 Brits by Interflora has revealed friendship fade can happen to the best of us if we don’t keep up to a regular routine with our closest pals.
The good news is that virtual relationships can absolutely stand the test of time, with Interflora’s research revealing we will only ‘unfriend’ someone if they’ve not been in touch for six years, while the majority (62%) believe there is no time limit on a friendship.
In fact, lockdown life is driving friends to find new ways to engage with each other, as Friendship Expert, Kate Leaver suggests we should now treat all friends as “long-distance”.
The new study suggests that 51% of Brits would never Facetime friends, pre-pandemic – but now, 42% will speak on the phone every fortnight, and 40% will text every week. Interflora has also seen a 25% increase in customers opting to send gifts and blooms to friends during lockdown.
Using this new research, Interflora, together with friendship expert, Kate Leaver, has analysed the dynamics of the very best friends’ relationships and has discovered that celebrating our friendships, may be the key for achieving a long-lasting relationship.
Friendship expert, Kate said: “As we’ve seen from this research, one of the most important traits people look for in a friend is honesty, but I’d say it’s really important to cultivate a generous, tactful and considered honesty, where you’re able to treat someone with kindness but also say the difficult things they need to hear.
“Generally, we don’t have any regular festivities in the calendar specifically for celebrating friendship. Don’t wait until Facebook presents you with one of those little slideshows telling you how long you’ve been friends with someone; do it yourself.
“Get nostalgic, explain what you love about someone, write cards, share food, bake, sing, cuddle, drink, dance, send flowers that mean something. Do it your way – just do it!”
Erica Nicholson, Senior Brand Manager at Interflora, which commissioned the study, said: “Our research shows that celebrating friendship anniversaries is among the most important factors when it comes to keeping these relationships thriving for years to come.
On average, Brits have known their best friend for over 23 years – in many cases that will be longer than they’ve been with their partner yet, unlike romantic relationships, there are no official friendship milestones to celebrate that achievement. We want to change that!”
Whether it’s your one-year friend-iversary, you’ve been friends for a decade, or you’re celebrating a special reunion – friends are always there for you and that should be celebrated.
AND REMEMBER – the government is allowing people to meet one other person outside of your household during the November long lockdown.
Any meet-ups do have to be in a public outdoors environment and you will still need to follow the two metre distancing rule. But no one is going to stop you from meeting your best friend for a walk round the park or chat on a park bench.
